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The Columbia Police Department said a suspect approached a 21-year-old man in the library's parking around 6:10 at night. Police said suspect forced the victim into his own car using a handgun. According to police, the suspect got into the vehicle, made the victim to drive to the victim's bank and withdraw money from the ATM. Police said the victim then drove the suspect to Wilkes and Seventh Street, where the suspect fled by foot.

The robbery has left residents with mixed reactions ranging from angry to unconcerned.

"I'll come here again. I won't let my wife come here alone though," library patron Paul Furrell said. He added that in order to prevent further incidents,"(people) should get more vigilant...pay more attention to your surrounding."

Some patrons said they won't return books at night anymore, but others are undeterred.

"Would I come back to the library? The answer is yes. It's a public space I typically feel safe in," patron LeAnne Stroupe said, who was visiting with two of her children. "It's unfortunate that something like this would happen where there are lots of kids and kids come here as a place where they potentially can be safe."

Stroupe added, "I've never encountered problems and typically the services the library provides would outweigh not coming here."